Can opening device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a can opening device. According to the present invention, there is provided a can opening device for a can, which is formed on a top surface of a cylindrical can with contents contained therein, comprising: first and second opening portions  122, 124  disposed to be opposite to each other at both sides of the top surface  110  of the can and defined by incision lines  122   a,    124   a;  an opening member  140  including an arcuate grip  142  formed at a relatively outward portion of the top surface  110,  an arcuate reinforcement portion  144  formed integrally with the grip at a relatively inward portion of the top surface, and pressing portions  146, 148,  formed to extend toward the opening portions  122, 124  from both ends where the reinforcement portion and grip are connected to each other, for pressing down and opening the opening portions, respectively; and a pair of lever fulcrums Hn, Hm, installed at the pressing portions rearward of the centers of the both ends where the reinforcement portion and grip are connected to each other, for fixedly connecting the opening portions to the top surface, respectively. Further, the first opening portion  122  through which the contents flow out upon opening thereof is relatively larger than the second opening portion  124,  the pressing portion  146  is installed to be at a position inward of the center of the top surface from the center of the first opening portion  122,  and the first opening portion  122  is positioned so that the center thereof is located at a position inward from that of a radius line of the top surface  110  passing through the center of the first opening portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a can opening device, and moreparticularly, to an opening device for a beverage can, which isconstructed such that beverage contained within the can may flow outmore easily.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an opening portion of aconventional can. As shown in the figure, contents such as beverage orbeer to be drunk are generally contained within a can body 10, and a canopening device is generally attached to a top surface 12 or bottomsurface of the can body. An opening member 20 attached to the topsurface 12 through a lever fulcrum 24 is used to open a predeterminedportion of the top surface of the can body 10. Further, the openingmember 20 comprises a grip 22 extending to one side with respect to thelever fulcrum 24, and a pressing portion 26 extending to the oppositeside with respect to the lever fulcrum 24.

[0005] An opening portion 29 defined by an incision line 28 grooved witha predetermined depth is formed on a portion of the top surface 12 belowthe pressing portion 26.

[0006] Here, when a user pulls up the grip 22 of the opening member 20,the pressing portion 26 of the opening member 20 opposite to the grip 22is moved downward around the lever fulcrum 24. When the pressing portion26 is moved downward, a downward force is applied to the opening portion29, and the opening portion 29 is then substantially separated from thetop surface 12 along the incision line 28 for defining the openingportion 29. With this action, the opening portion 29 is substantiallyopened so that the beverage of the can body 10 may flow out.

[0007] A portion of the opening portion 29 defined by the incision line28 is still attached to the top surface 12 of the can body. Thus, it isalso known in the art that when the can is opened as the opening portion29 is moved downward by the pressing portion 26, the portion of theopening portion 29 is constructed to be attached to the top surface 12of the can.

[0008] However, there are the following problems in the prior art. Thatis, when the beverage flows out from the interior of the can body 10,exterior air should be introduced to the interior of the can body 10 tothe contrary so that the beverage can smoothly flow out. However, in theconstitution of the can according to the prior art, since only oneopening portion 29 is formed, there is a disadvantage in that thecontents cannot smoothly flow out in a process of introduction of theexterior air and simultaneous outflow of the beverage. Accordingly, inan initial stage until a predetermined amount of beverage substantiallyflows out from the can (i.e., until the exterior air is introducedthrough an upper part of a hole corresponding to the opening portionwhile the beverage flows out through a lower part of the hole by tiltingthe can at a predetermined angle), it is very difficult to drain thebeverage.

[0009] Further, in the conventional constitution as described above,since the entire grip 22 of the opening member 20 is generally verysmall in size, it is inconvenient to pull up the grip 22. For example,since the grip 22 is small in size, it is difficult for a thick-fingereduser to grasp the grip 22 and to pull up the grip with force larger thanthat required for opening the can. Of course, it is very difficult forchildren, the old and the weak, and women to grasp and pull up the grip22.

[0010] In order to overcome these disadvantages, a can opening deviceshown in FIG. 2 has been proposed in Korean Utility Model Laid-Open No.98-55776 and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. (Sho)55-69029. Thiscan opening device will be described in brief with reference to FIG. 2.

[0011] As shown in the figure, the conventional can opening devicecomprises a pair of opening portions 32, 34 formed on a top surface of acan. The opening portions 32, 34 are defined by incision lines where thetop surface of the can is processed to be relatively thin in thicknesswhen they are manufactured by a metallic pattern. Such opening portions32, 34 are composed of a first opening portion 32 through which contentsof the can are able to substantially flow out to the outside uponopening thereof, and a second opening portion 34 through which exteriorair is able to be introduced into the can upon opening thereof.

[0012] The can opening device includes a grip 30 which a user can catchwith his/her finger(s), and a pair of pressing portions 36 a, 36 bformed at both ends of the grip for pressing and opening the openingportions 32, 34, respectively. Here, when the user pulls up the grip 30,the pressing portions 36 a, 36 b press the opening portions 32, 34downward around lever fulcrums Ha, Hb, respectively. The openingportions 32, 34 are then separated downward from the top surface of thecan so that the contents may flow out.

[0013] According to the can opening device constructed as such, thecontents may more easily flow out to the outside by formingsubstantially two opening portions. Further, in a case where the openingportions are formed into a pair, they are particularly useful for a canin which there are contained contents, such as bubbly carbonatedbeverage or frothy beer. However, in the case where the pair of openingportions 36 a, 36 b are formed on the top surface of the can as shown inFIG. 2, some matters should be essentially considered.

[0014] First, in the case where the two opening portions are formed onthe top surface of the can, the strength of the grip 30 should beconsidered. That is, since the two opening portions 32, 34 should beopened by only one grip 30 unlike a case where one opening portion ispressed and opened. The strength of the grip 30 and pressing portions 36a, 36 b must be sufficiently considered. However, considering that thegrip is generally formed of the same material as the can, it is not easyto strengthen the grip so sufficiently that the two opening portions canbe simultaneously opened.

[0015] Second, the can has the two opening portions, i.e. a firstopening portion through which the contents flow out to the outside uponopening thereof, and a second opening portion through which the exteriorair introduces into the can upon opening thereof. Thus, the secondopening portion 34 should have an appropriate size. That is, if thesecond opening portion is too large, the contents may be likely tosimultaneously flow out through the two opening portions. On the otherhand, if the second opening portion is too small, it is difficult toopen the second opening portion 34 with the pressing portion 36 b whenthe grip 30 is pulled up.

[0016] Third, a size of the grip 30 mounted on the top surface of thecan for opening the opening portions 32, 34 should be considered. Thatis, if the grip 30 is too large in size, the grip comes into contactwith the user's lips. Therefore, there is a disadvantage in that theuser feels unpleasant when drinking the contents.

[0017] Consequently, since the conventional can, opening device shown inFIG. 2 does not fully meet the above considerations, there aredisadvantages in that it is difficult to practically apply the canopening device to the can and the can opening device is inconvenient touse.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The present invention is contemplated to solve the aboveproblems. An object of the present invention is to provide a can openingdevice constructed such that contents of a can may flow out verysmoothly to the outside.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a canopening device constructed such that a pair of opening portions can becorrectly opened and contents of a can may flow out very smoothly to theoutside through only one opening portion even though the two openingportions are opened.

[0020] A further object of the present invention is to provide a canopening device constructed such that the can opening device attached toa top surface of a can does not come into contact with lips of a userunless the user feels unpleasant when drinking contents of a can.

[0021] According to the present invention for achieving the aboveobjects, there is provided a can opening device for a can, which isformed on a top surface of a cylindrical can with contents containedtherein, comprising: first and second opening portions disposed to beopposite to each other at both sides of the top surface of the can anddefined by incision lines; an opening member including an arcuate gripformed at a relatively outward portion of the top surface, an arcuatereinforcement portion formed integrally with the grip at a relativelyinward portion of the top surface, and pressing portions, formed toextend toward the opening portions from both ends where thereinforcement portion and grip are connected to each other, for pressingdown and opening the opening portions, respectively; and a pair of leverfulcrums, installed at the pressing portions rearward of the centers ofthe both ends where the reinforcement portion and grip are connected toeach other, for fixedly connecting the opening portions to the topsurface, respectively. Further, the first opening portion, through whichthe contents flow out upon opening thereof, is relatively larger thanthe second opening portion, the pressing portion is installed to be at aposition inward of the center of the top surface from the center of thefirst opening portion, and the first opening portion is positioned sothat the center thereof is located at a position inward from that of aradius line of the top surface passing through the center of the firstopening portion.

[0022] The first opening portion is a portion through which the contentsflow out upon opening thereof The second opening portion is a portionthrough which the exterior air is introduced into the can upon openingthereof, while the contents are flowing out. According to the presentinvention, it is preferable that the second opening portion be formed tohave a diameter of 5 to 12 mm.

[0023] Additionally, it is preferable that a recess for the grip isformed under the grip to be depressed below the level of the topsurface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The above and other objects and features of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following description of a preferredembodiment given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

[0025]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a can to which a conventional canopening device is applied;

[0026]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a can to which anotherconventional can opening device is applied;

[0027]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a can to which a can openingdevice according to the present invention is applied; and

[0028]FIG. 4 is a plan view of the can to which the can opening deviceof the present invention is applied.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention willbe explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a can to which a can openingdevice according to the present invention is applied, in a state where apair of opening portions has been opened; and FIG. 4 is a plan view ofthe can to which the can opening device of the present invention isapplied.

[0031] As shown in the figures, the can opening device of the presentinvention includes the pair of opening portions 122, 124 formed on a topsurface 110 of a can 100. The opening portions 122, 124 include a firstopening portion 122 through which contents of the can flow out uponopening thereof, and a second opening portion 124 through which exteriorair is introduced into the can upon opening thereof while the contentsof the can flows out through the first opening portion 122. As shown inthe figures, the first opening portion 122 is formed to be relativelylarger than the second opening portion 124. Further, the first andsecond opening portions 122, 124 are formed at symmetrical positions ofthe top surface of the can, which is substantially circular. That is, itcan be seen that the centers of the pair of opening portions 122, 124are placed on a diameter of the circular top surface 110. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 4, it can be seen that the centers of theopening portions 122, 124 are positioned almost on the axis of ordinatesdenoted as a reference numeral Cp.

[0032] The first and second opening portions 122, 124 are defined byincision lines 122 a, 124 a formed on the top surface 110 of the can.However, the incision lines 122 a, 124 a are not formed throughoutcircular perimeter portions of the opening portions. That is, theincision lines are formed except the perimeter portions below pressingportions 146, 148. This configuration allows some portions of theopening portions 122, 124 to be attached to the top surface 110 of thecan when the opening portions 122, 124 are separated and opened from thetop surface 110 of the can.

[0033] The first and second opening portions 122, 124 are approximatelycircular. In a case where the opening portions 122, 124 are formed to becircular, there is convenience in that the opening portions can beopened with a minimum force when they are pressed down by the pressingportions 146, 148, respectively. However, the present invention is notlimited to the circular opening portions 122, 124, and the openingportions 122, 124 may be modified in various shapes which are currentlyapplied thereto.

[0034] The second opening portion 124 is a portion through which theexterior air is introduced upon opening thereof while the contents ofthe can flow out through the second opening portion 124 which has beenopened. The second opening portion 124 should not be too large, so thatthe contents cannot flow out through the second opening portion 124while the contents of the can flow out through the first opening portion122. On the contrary, if the second opening portion 124 is formed toosmall, the second opening portion 124 may not be easily opened eventhrough it is pressed down by the pressing portion 148.

[0035] Accordingly, the present inventor has found from severalexperiments on standard beer cans that the following results are mostpreferable. As for the standard beer cans, there is a possibility thatthe second opening portion 124 is not easily opened by the pressingportion 148 if it is formed to be 4 mm or less in diameter, whereas thecontents flow out through the second opening portion 124 if it is formedto be above 12 mm in diameter.

[0036] That is, in the case where the diameter of the second openingportion 124 is greater than 12 mm, it was found that if the can issuddenly tilted, even a small quantity of contents may flow out throughthe second opening portion 124 simultaneously when contents such as beerflow out through the first opening portion 122.

[0037] As for the standard beer cans, therefore, it is preferred thatthe second opening portion be formed to have a diameter within a rangeof 5 to 12 mm in order to easily open the second opening portion and toprevent the contents from flowing out therethrough. Additionally,considering that the larger the second opening portion 124 is the morethe exterior air is introduced, it could be confirmed from theexperiments that the diameter of the second opening portion is mostpreferable to be 6 to 9 mm.

[0038] As for the first opening portion 122 through which the contentsof the can flow out upon opening thereof, the diameter thereof can befreely modified or changed within a range of about 20 to 30 mm.

[0039] As for the first opening portion 122, the following conditionsshould be considered. The first opening portion 122 is a portion whichcomes into contact with lips of a user. When the lips come into contactwith an opening member 140 including the pressing portion 146 of thefirst opening portion 122, the user may feel unpleasant or spill thebeverage on his/her face, when drinking the contents. Accordingly, thefollowing conditions should be met so that the user's lips cannot comeinto contact with the opening member 140.

[0040] First, the pressing portion 146 for pressing down and opening thefirst opening portion 122 should be preferably positioned in an inwardhalf portion of the first opening portion 122 (in a direction toward thesecond opening portion 124). Accordingly, as shown in the figures, thepressing portion 146 is designed to be positioned in the inward halfportion (a portion inward from the middle) of the first opening portion122. Thus, by positioning the pressing portion 146 in the inward halfportion of the first opening portion 122, the opening member 140 can beprevented from coming into contact with the user's lips upon drinking ofthe beverage.

[0041] As will be also described below, the opening member 140 includingthe pressing portion 146 is formed to take the shape of an arc. Sincethe pressing portion 146 positioned below the opening member issubstantially inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the topsurface from the inward half portion to an outward half portion of thefirst opening portion, the pressing portion 146 can be prevented to theutmost from coming into contact with the user's lips.

[0042] In addition, the center of the first opening portion 122 itselfis formed at a position more inward than the center of a radius line SCof the top surface 110 of the can passing through the center of thefirst opening portion. That is, the first opening portion 122 itselfshould be positioned as upward as possible so that the first openingportion 122 is spaced apart from a lower end 110 a of the top surface ofthe can in an upward direction when the user's lips come into contactwith the first opening portion 122.

[0043] Thus, by designing the opening member 140 in such a manner thatthe pressing portion 146 of the first opening portion 122 is positionedin the inward half portion of the first opening portion 122 and thecenter of the first opening portion 122 itself is simultaneouslypositioned more inward than the center of the radius line SC, it can beseen that the opening member 140 can be prevented to the utmost fromcoming into contact with the user's lips upon drinking of the contentsof the can.

[0044] Next, the opening member 140 for opening the pair of openingportions 122, 124 will be described in detail.

[0045] As described above, the opening member 140 should be designed soas to meet a first condition that it should not come into contact withthe user's lips when the user drinks, and a second condition that it hasenough strength to simultaneously transmit an opening force, which isapplied to the opening member when the user pulls up the grip 142 toopen the pair of opening portions 122, 124 at once, to the pair ofopening portion 122, 124. The design for meeting the first condition hasbeen already described above. Now, the essential condition of strengthof the opening portion 140 will be described.

[0046] As shown in the figures, the opening portion 140 includes thegrip 142 for pulling up the opening portions with the user's finger(s),a reinforcement portion 144 formed at the interior of the grip 142, andthe pair of pressing portions 146, 148 formed on the both ends of thegrip 142 and reinforcement portion 144. In order to reduce the costs ofmaterials, a hole is formed between the grip 142 and the reinforcementportion 144.

[0047] The grip 142 and the reinforcement portion 144 are formed to takethe shape of an arc and integrally formed with each other, as shown inthe figures. On the both ends at which the grip 142 and reinforcementportion 144 join each other, there are formed the pressing portions 146,148 for pressing down the opening portions 122, 124. The pressingportions 146, 148 operate to simultaneously press down and open one pairof the opening portions 122, 124 below the grip 142 by pulling up thesingle grip 142. At positions slightly rearward of the pressing portions146, 148, there are formed lever fulcrums Hn, Hm, which simultaneouslycatches the opening member 140 and the top surface 110 of the can. Thelever fulcrums perform a function of a lever upon opening of the can.

[0048] It can be seen that the opening device 140 of the presentinvention generally takes the shape of an arc, and includes the grip 142for pulling up the opening portions with the user's finger(s), and thereinforcement portion 144 formed integrally with the grip and positionednear the center of the top surface 110. The grip 142 and thereinforcement portion 144 are constructed to have sufficient bearingstrength by thickening and curling up them.

[0049] According to the present invention constructed as such, when thegrip 142 is pulled up, the grip 142 and the reinforcement portion 144are simultaneously pulled up around the lever fulcrums Hn, Hm. Then, thepressing portions 146, 148 positioned at the both ends of the grip 142and reinforcement portion 144 press down the opening portions 122, 124,respectively. Accordingly, the opening portions 122, 124 defined by theincision lines 122 a, 124 a start to be separated from the top surface110 from the incision lines that are closest to portions pressed by thepressing portions 146, 148. When the grip 142 is completely pulled up,the opening portions 122, 124 are connected with the top surface 110 atonly portions thereof on which the incision lines are not formed, andthe other portions thereof are completely separated from the top surface110. Thus, the contents of the can are able to flow out to the outside.

[0050] By integrally forming the grip 124 and the reinforcement portion144 in the shape of an arc, a force from the grip 124 can be mosteffectively transmitted to the opening portions 122, 124. That is, sincea load is not concentrated on any portions in the grip 124 andreinforcement portion 144 which have been formed to take the shape of anarc, respectively, the pressing portions 146, 148 can accurately pressdown the opening portions 122, 124 without any breakage or damage due totorsional moment and stress concentration.

[0051] In view of strength, it is preferred that the pressing portions146, 148 be formed at the both ends of the grip 142 and reinforcementportion 144. For example, in a case where the opening portions 122, 124are pressed down and opened only by the grip 124 and without forming thereinforcement portion 144, neck portions between the grip 142 and thepressing portions 146, 148 may be deformed. Therefore, according to thepresent invention, the grip 142 and the reinforcement portion 144 areformed integrally with each other to take the shape of an arc, and thepressing portions 146, 148 are then formed thereon, as shown in thefigures.

[0052] In addition, the lever fulcrums Hn, Hm are installed slightlyrearward of the pressing portions 146, 148. The lever fulcrums allow thepressing portions 146, 148 to stably press down the opening portions122, 124 upon upper movement of the grip 142, since they aresubstantially positioned near the center of the both ends of the grip142 and reinforcement portion 144.

[0053] On the top surface 110 of the can facing the grip 142, a recess150 is formed to be depressed below the level of the top surface 110.This recess 150 is a concave portion formed in the top surface 110 sothat the user can easily pull up the grip 142 when the user grasps thegrip 142 with his/her finger(s).

[0054] Comparing the grip 142 of the present invention shown in FIGS. 3and 4 with the conventional grip shown in FIG. 1, it can be seen thatthe grip 142 of the present invention is formed to be larger than theconventional grip. Accordingly, when opening the can on which the canopening device of the present invention is mounted, the user can easilypull up the grip 142 of the present invention with one or two fingers.

[0055] According to the present invention, on the top surface 110 of thecan, there is formed another recess 160 for accommodating the openingmember 140 including the pair of opening portions 122, 124. This recess160 is effectively used to load another can on the top surface of thecan. In general, as for a beverage or beer can, a body part with a topsurface thereof opened and a top surface part with the top surface areseparately provided. Since the opening member 140 is installed toprotrude from the top surface 110 on the top surface part, a volume ofseveral cans stacked one above another may become large. Therefore,since there is provided the recess 160 for accommodating the openingmember 140, more cans may be stacked on the respective top surface partsone above another within the same volume.

[0056] According to the present invention constructed as such, thefollowing advantages are expected:

[0057] First, the can opening device of the present invention comprisesthe first opening portion 122 through which the contents flow out uponopening thereof, and the second opening portion 124 through which theexterior air is introduced into the can upon opening thereof while thecontents flow out through the first opening portion. Therefore, sincethe contents flow out through the first opening portion 122 while theexterior air is introduced into the can through the second openingportion 124, the contents can very smoothly flow out from the can. Inthis regard, the present invention is deemed to be very useful when theuser drinks beer or carbonated beverage.

[0058] Second, the opening member 140 for opening one pair of theopening portions 122, 124 includes the arcuate grip and reinforcementportions. Therefore, since the opening force of the user can be smoothlytransmitted to the opening portions 122, 124, there is expectedconvenience in that one pair of the opening portions can be easiestopened. Additionally, since the opening portions 122, 124 can be caughtwith two fingers of the user, they can be more conveniently opened.

[0059] Third, through an optimal design for the second opening portion,the contents will not flow out through the second opening portion andsimultaneously the optimum opening easiness is provided. Additionally,through an optimal design for the opening member 140, there is expectedconvenience in that the user can drink the contents without feelingunpleasant on his/her lips when drinking the contents of the can.

[0060] As described above, it will be understood by those skilled in theart that various changes and modifications may be made to present theinvention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.For example, although the present invention is described through theembodiment applied to the can opening device for use in the beer can, itis not limited to the embodiment. For example, the present invention maybe applied to a can opening device for use in a beverage can forcontaining predetermined particles or fragments such as orange or grapeparticles.

[0061] Furthermore, the invention should be construed only by theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A can opening device for a can, which is formedon a top surface of a cylindrical can with contents contained therein,comprising: first and second opening portions (122, 124) disposed to beopposite to each other at both sides of the top surface (110) of the canand defined by incision lines (122 a, 124 a); an opening member (140)including an arcuate grip (142) formed at a relatively outward portionof the top surface (110), an arcuate reinforcement portion (144) formedintegrally with the grip at a relatively inward portion of the topsurface, and pressing portions (146, 148), formed to extend toward theopening portions (122, 124) from both ends where the reinforcementportion and grip are connected to each other, for pressing down andopening the opening portions, respectively; and a pair of lever fulcrums(Hn, Hm), installed at the pressing portions rearward of the centers ofthe both ends where the reinforcement portion and grip are connected toeach other, for fixedly connecting the opening portions to the topsurface, respectively; wherein the first opening portion (122) throughwhich the contents flow out upon opening thereof is relatively largerthan the second opening portion (124), the pressing portion (146) isinstalled to be at a position inward of the center of the top surfacefrom the center of the first opening portion (122), and the firstopening portion (122) is positioned so that the center thereof islocated at a position inward from that of a radius line of the topsurface (110) passing through the center of the first opening portion.2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second opening portion(124) has a diameter of 5 to 12 mm.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 1,wherein a recess (150) for the grip is formed under the grip to bedepressed below the level of the top surface
 110. 4. The device asclaimed in claim 2, wherein the opening member takes the shape of ahollow arc.